Kelly Clarkson Shares What Really Upsets Her About Weight Criticism

Kelly Clarkson isn't one to let other people's unkind words get her down, but she admits there is one thing that really bothers her about some recent harsh criticism she received about her weight.

British TV personality and writer Katie Hopkins lashed out at Clarkson on Feb. 20, tweeting, “Jesus, what happened to Kelly Clarkson? Did she eat all of her backing singers? Happily I have wide-screen.” She added, “Darling, if you had a baby a year ago, that is not baby weight. It is fat. Quit calling it cute names to make yourself feel better.”

The pop superstar and former American Idol champ laughed the incident off in an interview with Heat magazine, saying, “That’s because she doesn’t know me. I’m awesome! It doesn’t bother me. It’s a free world. Say what you will.”

Clarkson — who gave birth to her daughter, River Rose, in June 2014 — clarified, “I’ve just never cared what people think. It’s more if I’m happy and I’m confident and feeling good, that’s always been my thing. And more so now, since having a family — I don’t seek out any other acceptance.”

Hopkins continued her attacks in appearance on Access Hollywood, calling Clarkson a "chunky monkey" and "fat." During a recent interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Clarkson said she's more concerned about the message that sends to others than for herself.

“I think what hurts my feelings for people is when I’ll have a meet-and-greet after the show and a girl who's, like, bigger than me will be in the meet-and-greet and be like, ‘Oh, God!’ And they’ll say, ‘If they think you’re big I must be so fat to them,'” she says. “It’s like, you just are who you are. We are who we are — whatever size. It doesn’t mean that we’re gonna be that forever."

“That’s the thing! Sometimes we’re more fit,” she adds. “Like, especially me. I’m such a creative person that I yo-yo. Sometimes I’m more fit and I get into kickboxing hardcore. And then sometimes I don’t and I’m like, ‘I’d rather have wine.'”